A HANGING – GEORGE ORWELL

 Form?
 Purpose?

 Audience?

 Language?

 Questions?
WRITER’S PURPOSE - NOTE
 When producing a written piece of work
all writers will have a particular purpose
in mind which they wish to
communicate to the reader. In A
Hanging, Orwell makes a social
comment about capital punishment.
 Through his clever use of language
techniques such as imagery,
symbolism, tone and word choice
Orwell evokes the reader’s sympathy
for the prisoner’s plight.
LANGUAGE
 11 questions – in pairs look at the following…
QUESTIONS – PARAS 1 AND 2
1. What evidence is there for the poor
condition of the prisoners?
For each quote explain, in as much detail
as you can, the reason for your choice.

2. Why do you think Orwell chose to

include such detailed description of
the prisoner’s conditions?
QUESTION

1. How does the description of the prisoner

compare with the descriptions of the
guards in paragraphs 2 and 4?

In what way does this comparison

contribute to the writer’s purpose?
 CAN THE PUNISHMENT EVER
FIT THE CRIME?
 For what crime is the prisoner being
executed?
SYMBOLISM – THE DOG
 Why do you think Orwell decided to include a
detailed description of the dog’s appearance
in the prison yard?
SYMBOLISM – THE PUDDLE
 What does Orwell suggest in his description
of the prisoner avoiding a puddle while being
led to the gallows?
SYMBOLISM – THE PUDDLE

 Although the prisoner is being led to his

death he instinctively avoids a puddle in
order to minimise his discomfort; a
seemingly futile action.

 Symbolises human survival instinct and

reiterates Orwell’s belief that taking life is
against human nature.
IRONY
 One of the predominant tones throughout the
essay is irony.

 For example, the prisoner dodging the puddle

is ironic because he is going to die anyway.

 Find and quote 3-4 further examples of irony

in the essay. In each case explain how these
examples relate to purpose of the essay.

 (look at paras 12, 14, 17, 18, 23 and 24)

QUESTION
 In paragraph 10 there is a change in tone
where, for the first time, Orwell openly
states his opinion on the events he
witnessed.
 Find one phrase from this paragraph which
indicates Orwell’s reflection on the events.
 Find one phrase which clearly indicates
Orwell’s feelings.
QUESTION
 In paragraphs 1 and 2 there are a number of
examples of figurative language (metaphor,
simile, personification etc.)

Quote 2-3 examples and in each case explain

the comparison being made and how this
contributes to the writer’s purpose.
QUESTION
1. What is the purpose of the parenthesis in
paragraph 10? How does this contribute to
the writer’s purpose?
HOW DOES ORWELL MAKE THE
ENDING POWERFUL?
USING EVIDENCE FROM THE ARTICLE,
WRITE TWO PARAGRAPHS ON HOW
ORWELL ACHIEVES HIS PURPOSE IN ‘A
HANGING’